Fuse



Feb. 13, 1934. F. w. BOLD 1,946,668

FUSE

Filed Oct. 10. 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l F. W. BOLD Feb. 13, 1934.

FUSE

Filed Oct. 10. 1931 3 .Sheets-Sheet 2 F. w. BOLD Feb. 13, 1934.

Patented Feb. 13, 1934 TES P TENT QFFEQE FUSE Frederick W. Bold, Chelsea, Mass.

Application ()ctober 10,

8 Glaims.

My present invention is a novel and improved fuse of the impact and time fuse type.

In my development of time fuses, such for example as shown in my prior U. S. Patents Nos. 1,639,975 and 1,777,547 I have shown and described improved timing fuse mechanism. My present invention is an improvement on the type of impact and time fuse illustrated in said patents, and the present invention is directed to improved and perfect fuses of said type.

Important features of the present invention consist in the arrangement and provision of more positive safety factors and controlling means therefor, or improved devices for holding and releasing the starting of the timing mechanism, and an improved arrangement for animpact actuating device which will function more positively and in a perfectly balanced arrangement.

A further important and distinctly novel feature in the fuse of my present invention is the arrangement of a plurality of firing pins concentrically positioned. This is a very important feature and enables me to utilize the timing mechanism releasing on one firing pin, and the impact mechanism operating on an independent firing pin, and preferably both positioned to cooperate on one primer.

Furthermore, I have so constructed the connections between the impact member and the firing pin to be actuated thereby as to afford a quicker, smoother, and more accurate operation, eliminating any binding or distortion, providing a balanced construction, both in weight and operation, and also allowing for the timing mechanism to function fully in the central space in the fuse necessarily occupied thereby.

It will be appreciated that in a time fuse of this kind, the space is limited and the strain, shock of firing, impact, etc., on the timing mechanism, and indeed on any moving parts, is tremendous, and hence the structural details largely eliminate the design. I have accomplished the desirable purpose of having the timing mechanism undisturbed in its central position for functioning thereof, and have devised novel connections from the impact element positioned centrally at the nose end of the fuse to its cooperating firing pin positioned centrally at the base of the fuse without distorting or disturbing the setting mechanism, safety catches, and timing devices.

One of the important features is the arrangement and provision of safety, locking devices operable only to release the mechanism after the 1931; Serial No. 568,023

shock of firing and through the action of centrifugal force due to the rifling of the cannon. Thus it is impossible to accidentally fire the fuse until after firing. This is a broadly new feature and I wish to claim the same herein broadly;

A further important and novel feature consists in my arrangement of automatically looking the rotatable cap onto the base, while permitting rotation of the same. Thus, after the cap and base are assembled, they are automatically interlocked and, preferably, also with a wedging effect which will hold the same under constant locking tension.

Other important features, advantages, novel combination of parts and several modifications will be more fully pointed out and claimed.

Referring to the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is an exterior View; I

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View of my improved fuse and mechanism;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional View of a detail of the mechanism operated on the act of firing; I

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line '44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig.2;

Fig. 6 is a 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a 77 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a 88 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view on the line: 9-9 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view illustrating the concentric firing pin;

Fig. 11 is a detail showing the means of locking thecap and base;

Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15 and l6 are views showing modifications, and i Fig. 17 is a fragmentary view, partly in crosssection, showing a modified form and position of the releasing mechanism of Fig. 14.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the base, 2 the rotatable setting cap, 3 the nose of the fuse, which is removable from the cap for convenience in assembling, but is rigid therewith in assembled position. 4 is a groove to receive a hinge to thread the cap onto the shell and. is preferably formed in the base 1, as shown.

The base 1 has its lower portion threaded, as indicated at 10, to fit into the correspondingly threaded recess in the shell to which it is to be cross-sectional view on the line cross-sectional view on the line cross-sectional view on the line attached, and is formed slightly above the wrench grooves 4 with a shouldered portion 11 and a vertical panel-like section 12, over which the cap 2 will fit, with its lowermost edge resting on the shoulder 11. This cap is intended to rotate upon the base 1, sliding over the shoulder 11 to effect the adjustment of the setting disc and, hence, of the timing mechanism. In order to interlock the cap 2 and base 1, I form in the base a plurality of radial grooves 15, 15, which grooves are preferably rectangular, and mount in each a locking bolt 20 (see Figs. 8 and 11). These radial grooves and locking bolts are slightly above the shoulder 11 and positioned to engage a corresponding groove 21 in the lower portion of the cap 2, said groove and each locking bolt being preferably bevelled, as illustrated in Fig. 11 at 22. Each bolt 20 is formed with a rearwardly opening recess 18 to receive a coiled spring 19 acting to force each bolt 20 outwardly to engage the groove 21 when the cap and base 1 are assembled. The bevel 22 serves to effect an automatic tightening action to hold the cap 2 andbase 1 tightly in engagement under the tension of the four springs 19, while permitting rotation of thecap 2, each bolt 20 sliding in the annular groove 21 in the cap.

As above explained, the impact firing mechanism is entirely separate and independent from the time actuating means, and to effect impact firing I provide an impact member 30 with means to slide in the extreme end of the nose portion 3 of the cap in the groove 31, therefore maintaining the impact member 30 outwardly through the tension, of the spring 33, encircling the stem 36 of the member 30 and bearing betweena shoulder 38 in the upper part of the cap 2 and an extending fiange 39 formed around the stem 36, which'fiange would normally be forced against the shoulder 40 by said spring33. The lower portion of the-stem 36 is threaded, as indicated at 41, to engage the correspondingly threaded top portion of the stirrup 44, having its arms 45, diametrically spread, each with a flange 46 bearing against rods 47, 47. These rods extend through suitable grooves 46 in the base 1, as well as passing through recesses in the various plates to be described, restingagainst a plate 48 in the lowermost portion 10 of the base 1, which plate carries the outer firing pin.

50 of the concentric firing pins 50 and 51, being arranged to reciprocate within a'bored recessv in the pin 50, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 10, Preferably, I form the outer firing pin 50 into a pair of pins-52, 52 by notch-ing. the rim of the pin 50 as same surrounds the inner firing pin 51; The spring 55 of less power than the spring 33 is fitted to hold the plate. 48 upwardly with the firing pin 50 normally raised, said spring bearing against a closing ring 56, which I preferably form with an annular flange 57 to engage the rim of the plate 48 and constitute a slide therefor, as same may be reciprocated downwardly on impact of the members 30, stirrup 44,

and rods 47, and upwardly by the spring 55,

both being in position to' fire the primer indicated in dotted lines in Fig. '2.

Uponthe impact of the fuse, the member 30 moves longitudinally against the tension of the spring 33, and the stirrup 44 transmits this movement through the rod 47, 47 on to the plate 48 and moves the outer firing pin 50, overcoming the tension of the spring 55. V

This arrangement of a spaced and balanced construction, transmitting the movement from the central impact member 30 to a central firing pin, insures the even functioning of this device and prevents distortion where a movement was arrangedas in former constructions-around at one side of the timing mechanism, thus leaving the timing devices free to function in the center of the fuse.

The timing train and devices therefore will be substantially as shown in my said prior patents, except that I have devised additional and novel safety means, as well as time releasing mechanism and novel means for uniting the setting cap and disc.

Referring to Fig. 2, the setting disc is mounted on a hub 71 loosely mounted on the upper end of the central shaft '72 of the time gear. The disc 70 is free to rotate on the shaft '72 until at the time of the shock of firing. A U-shaped spring '75 being secured to the shaft '72 by a nut 76 and corresponding shoulder (see Fig. 3) has its arms freely resting against the outer surface'of the hub '71, which hub is preferably formed with a flange secured to the setting disc 76 and with a short barrel on which the opposite arms of the spring normally rest; with a slight rim-like projection 7'1 and an annular groove 78. The recesses through the hub 71 and the upper portion of the shaft 72 passing therethrough are correspondingly tapered and, on the shock of firing, the disc '70 and hub 1 will set back, wedging the hub on the tapered end of the shaft 72, the arms of the spring '75 will ride over the rim 77 and lock into the groove 78, thereby insuring the locking engagement of the disc 70 and shaft 72 of the time train. This timing train I have designated generally at 80, which will include the usual spring and gear train, such for example as in my said prior patent, that is, on the shock of firing, and will be ready to turn the disc 70.

In order to connect the disc 70 with a cap 2 for the purpose of setting the sameto adjusted position for the time train to fire the fuse, I provide ahollow plug 82, having its open end threaded at 83 into a correspondingly tapped recess in the upper part of the cap 2 (see Fig. 2). In this plug is a plunger 84 with its lowermost end in engagement with a groove 85 on the disc 70 and is adapted to reciprocate through a recess in the bottom of the plug 82 and is normally held upwardly by an expansible spring 86, bearing against an enlarged portion 87 which fits the recess in the plug 82 above the spring 86. To hold the pin 84 in downward position until the time of firing so that it will rotate the disc '70 upon the turning of the cap 2, is a light spring 88 bearing on top of the enlarged por-- tion 87.

Upon the shock of firing the disc .70and hub are set-back, wedging on the shaft '72 and the pin 84 will also move downwardly against the tension of its spring 86 until the disc '13 completes the wedg-ing action on the shaft '72. Thereupon the spring 86 will tend to return the pin 84, lifting it clear ofthe slot 85 in the disc '70 and permitting the disc 70 to take up the rotative action imparted to it by the time train spring.

Pivoted at 89 is a lever 90 having an upstanding flange 92 on one arm which rests against the rim of the disc 70 '(see Fig. 5). ,The opposite end of the lever90 has a hooked portion 33 longitudinally on the shock of firing, thereby permitting the lever 90 to rest on the rim of the disc 70, which disc is now turning immediately after the shock of firing through the impulse of the time train.

The disc turns until the end 92 of the'lever 90 is in line to register with the slot 85, whereupon, through centrifugal force, the fuse, now being in rotation from the rifiing of the cannon from which the shell is fired, will be forced into the recess 85, lifting the opposite end 93 from its engagement with the pin 94 and permitting the turning of the shaft 98. The time between the position to which the cap 2 has moved the slot in the setting disc 70 and when the end 92 of the lever engages same, will determine the time element in the firing of the fuse. The pin 99 is preferably provided with an enlarged portion 101 (see Fig. 16) to insure its reciprocation in a corresponding recess through a portion of the plate and entirely through the supporting plate 103. Preferably the pin 99 is held upwardly until the shock of firing, by the engagement of the bevelled face 104 on its lowermost portion with a spring 105 (see Figs. 6 and 16), said spring being secured by screw 106 to the fixed plate 107.

The spring 105 is preferably forked with a pair of arms, and above the bevelled face 104 is a short, smooth portion so that, at the shock of firing, the downward movement of the pin 99 and its enlarged portion 101 will cause the bevelled face 104 to spread the arms of the spring 165, which will engage the cylindrical portion between the enlarged part 101 and the bevelled face (see Fig. 16) and thus, by frictional tension, hold the pin 99 withdrawn from the path of movement of the lever 90 until the end 92 engages the slot 85.

, The shaft 72 has keyed thereto a collar 110 with an extension 111 formed thereon adapted to be held by a hooked latch 112 pivoted at 113 (see Fig. 6). This hook is held in engagement with the extension 111 by contact with a plate 114 pivoted at 116. The plate 114 has a recess opposite the pivot 116 to receive a longitudinally movable pin 115, which pin is also to be set back at the shock of firing, thereby releasing the plate .114, permitting it to swing outwardly by centrifugal force on its pivot 116, thereby releasing the extension 111 on the collar 110 and permitting the shaft 72 to rotate under the influence of the time train and spring. The pin is normally held in upward position to engage the recess in the plate 114 by the arms of the forked spring 120 secured at 121 to the plate 107, see Fig. 15. At the point where the arms 120 engage the spring 115 is formed a conical face .122, spreading the arms 120 during the shock of firing, and set-back pin 115, which spring arms will close above a collar 124 on the upper part of the pin 115, and thus hold it out of engagement of the latch 112.

The various safety devices above described will positively prevent any accidental movement of the central firing pin 51 and will necessarily prevent any rotation of the shaft 72 until after the shock of firing, and until also the timing disc has functioned to the extent of the time for w ich it has been set to permit the projection 92 on the lever 90 to move into the slot 85. With the release of the shaft 72 by the hook 112 and its locking mechanism, and by the wedging action of the disc 70 and release of the lever 90, all on the shock of firing, the timing train then acts to rotate the shaft 72.

The lever 90 will hold the shaft 98 from turning until same is released by the rocking of the lever 90 on its pivot by the movement of the projection 92 in the slot 85. The lower portion of the shaft 98 is formed with one-half the diameter removed to provide a flat face 124, which constitutes a stop for the arm 125 keyed to the shaft 126 (see Fig. 7) until the shaft 98 is rotated by the release of the pin 94 through oscillation of the lever 90 and its engagement of the hooked end 93 thereon, as above explained. The lower portion of the shaft 126 is formed with a cut-out part 129 (see Fig. 2) against which the lower portion of the hook 130 bears, said hook being pivoted at 131 and with its lowermost and hooked portion in contact with the bevelled face of a collar 135 on the longitudinally movable shaft 136, carrying the middle concentric firing pin 51. A coiled spring 137 is fitted to move the firing pin 51 downwardly and fire the charge. The bevelled face of the collar 135, and the correspondingly inclined face of the hook 130, as shown at 140, Fig. 2, effect the outward swinging of the hook 130 when the shaft 126 is turned sufficiently to permit the same, through the impulse of the spring 137, as will be readily understood.

The parts just described and the bearings for the hook 130 and firing mechanism are assembled in suitable grooves in the block 150, which is threaded into the hooked end portion of the base 1 and affords convenience and facility in assembling.

Referring to Figs. 12, 13, and 14, I have herein illustrated modifications which will be briefly described. As shown in Figs. 12, I may attach to the disc 70 a plate by rivets 161, 161, with a slot 162 therein. In this arrangement I uti- 115 lize the spring plate 160 for the setting connection with the cap 2 and disc 70. Threaded into the cap 2 (see Fig. 14) is a unit consisting of a threaded portion 165, a collar 166, an annular groove 167, and a cylindrical portion 168, hav- 129 ing a depending projection to engage the slot 162 in the spring plate 160. Surrounding this unit, and particularly the portion 168, is a sleeve 175, having therein a slot 176 to fit over a l. pin 171 secured to the cylindrical portion 168. 125 The upper portion of the sleeve 175 is cut-away, leaving a pair of spring-like arms 177, 177 of sufiicient extent to normally extend above the collar 166, and with the end portions of these spring arms bent inwardly to hold the sleeve 175 thus in raised position, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. Upon the shock of firing the sleeve 175 will slide downwardly and the base or bottom will force the spring plate 160 also downwardly against the disc 170, thus releasing the projection 170 from the slot 162 in the spring plate 160. Thereupon, the disc starts, having been wedged onto the shaft 72 by the tapered hub, as above described, and the spring projections 177 will snap into the groove 167 and hold the bottom of the sleeve thus downwardly, clearing the projection 170 from the slot 162. This modification, as will be readily appreciated, will effect the setting of the disc and release the same, permitting it to turn until the slot 85 is engaged by the projection 92 of the lever 90, whereupon the mechanism will function as above described.

In Fig. 17, I have illustrated a further modification wherein the sliding sleeve 177 and projecting portion 92 of the lever 90 are so proportioned, preferably, by lengthening the lever 92 and positioning the'sleeve 1'77 so that said lever may bear directly against the sleeve 1'77 and during its movement in case a very fine setting is desired, and the sleeve 170 is actually at the notch 85, or covering a portion of the notch. Thus, a slight movement of the setting disc 70, when released, will permit the end 92 of the lever 90 to engage the notch 85 and release the firing mechanism, after the setting disc moves sufficiently. I

It will be appreciated that the numerous safety devices in my present improved fuse are of great importance. Thus, particularly the arrangementcf the latch 112 when released, by movement of the plate 114, is swung outwardly through centrifugal action, due tothe whirling of the shell from the engagement of its ring with the rifiing of the gun.

This arrangement of' an automatic release, operable by centrifugal force either independently or in combination with other releasing instrumentalities operated bythe setback, occasioned by the shock of firing or otherwise, is believed to be a distinct novelty, and I desire to claim the same herein broadly.

I claim:

1. In a fuse of the kind described, impact firing means, a time actuated. firing means, a

plurality of firing pins one sliding within another constructed and arranged for one firing 'pin to be actuated by impact independently of the time actuating device.

2. In a fuse of the kind described, impact fir- -ing means, time actuated firing means, a plurality of firing pins one pin constituting a guide for another pin constructed and arranged for one firing pin to be actuated by the time operating mechanism independently of the impact means.

to release one firing pin and means actuated solely by the impact mechanism to operate another firing pin.

4. In a fuse of the kind described, concentrically arranged firing pins, the inner firing pin positioned to slide within a bored recess of the outer firing pin, and said outer firing pin having its encircling rim formed into a firing point.

5 In a fuse of the kind described, concentrically arranged firing pins, the inner firing pin positioned to slide within a bored recess of the outer firing pin, and said outer firing pin having its encircling rim formed into a plurality of firing points.

6. In a fuse of the kind described, a base adapted to receive a cap, a cap to fit thereon, means to interlock the base and cap while permitting relative rotation, comprising a radial groove in the base, a spring pressed plunger in said groove, and an annular groove in the cap constructed and arranged to engage the plunger when moved outwardly into locking position.

7. In a fuse of the kind described, a base adapted to receive a cap, a cap to fit thereon,

means to interlock the base and cap while permitting relative rotation, comprising a plurality of radial grooves in the base, each having a spring pressed locking plunger adapted to be moved outwardly by a spring, and an annular groove in the cap positioned to be engaged by the locking plungers.

8. In a fuse of the kind described, a base, a cap, locking bolts carried by said base, having a bevelled face at the outer ends, a groove formed in the cap and having a cooperating bevelled face, and yielding means adapted to force the locking bolt into. engagement with the said groove-the bevelled faces being positioned and arranged to hold the cap and base in constant- 1 1y tightening contact by the tension of said yielding means.

7 FREDERICK W. BOLD. 

